Coast Starlight: Los Angeles to Seattle by Rail
- 16
- £2,799
- USA
- Take an iconic Amtrak route, the Coast Starlight up the west coast of the USA
- Experience the California lifestyle in LA, Santa Barbara and San Francisco
- Take a sleeper up into the rugged scenery of Oregon
- Continue north to ‘Rose City’ of Portland and finish in buzzing Seattle
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Adapt the route to suit your plans
- Upgrade hotels and rail journeys
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- Return flights from London to Los Angeles and Seattle to London in Economy Class
- Coach Class rail travel with seat reservations
- 13 nights’ handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Overnight sleeper from Oakland to Portland in a Superliner Roomette
- Easy-to-follow travel documentation
- Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection from our London office
Suggested Itinerary
Fly into Los Angeles and check in for a 3-night stay at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel (or similar).
You’ll be staying in the Downtown area of the city, which is a good base for a first visit. But LA covers a large area, with diverse districts including Hollywood (of course), Wiltshire which is home to the Miracle Mile District and the famous La Brea Tar Pits and San Fernando Valley for Universal Studios. There are also distinct cities within the LA County area such as Santa Monica on the coast (where the iconic Route 66 officially ends) and upscale Beverly Hills. If you would prefer to be based in any of these areas, just let us know!
It’s time for your first rail journey aboard the Coast Starlight as you travel just under 100 miles up the California coast to Santa Barbara. You’ll arrive in time for lunch and check at the conveniently located Riviera Beach Hotel Santa Barbara (or similar) for your 2-night stay.
With its mild climate, sweeping beaches, boutique wineries and a wide-ranging calendar of cultural events, Santa Barbara is a great holiday destination in its own right. Don’t miss a visit to the hill-top Old Mission, a prime example of California’s Franciscan Spanish architecture or enjoying some seafood at the historic Stearns Wharf.
You have a free morning today so perhaps enjoy a walk along the beach or a wine-tasting tour before your onward train to San Francisco, which leaves just after midday and continues up the coast.
Arrive into Emeryville in the evening and catch a connecting Thruway bus (run by Amtrak) into San Francisco. You’ll have a 3-night stay at the Handlery Union Square (or similar).
Occupying a relatively small 7 square mile strip of land at the tip of a peninsula between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific coast, San Francisco does not have the urban sprawl of LA, but is huge in terms of the attractions it has to offer. You can navigate its hilly terrain by riding the traditional cable cars which run up and down from the Bay. Not-to-be-missed experiences here include museums like the Palace of Fine Arts and M.H. de Young Memorial Museum in Golden Gate Park, clam chowder out of a bowl made of bread at Fisherman’s Wharf and a harbour cruise under the landmark Golden Gate Bridge. You can also stop at Alcatraz for a tour of the famous former island prison.
You have another full day in San Francisco today, before your sleeper leaves from Emeryville this evening. Why not take in the views from one of the city’s panoramic spots like Telegraph Hill or the Art Deco Coit Tower? You could even grab a coffee on Alamo Square and take a picture of the famous Painted Ladies (pictured), with the city scrapers as a backdrop.
Early this evening, collect your bags from your hotel and make the return journey across to Emeryville. Here, you’ll catch the overnight train north towards Oregon.
Your overnight accommodation is in a Superliner Roomette with bunk beds which fold away in the daytime, turning the sleeping compartment into two reclining seats on either side of a picture window. You can watch the stunning scenery from your window including lush forests, the dramatic snow-covered peaks of the Cascade Range and Mount Shasta. Or you might prefer to visit the restaurant car, which serves everything from breakfast and snacks to a 3-course meal.
On arrival in Portland this afternoon, check in at the Hotel Zags (or similar) for a 2-night stay.
Portland is the largest city in the State of Oregon and is famous for its eccentric character, its green spaces (not to mention eco-friendly culture) and for its wealth of craft breweries. If you like beer, don’t miss Distillery Row where you can find some of the city’s many breweries in close proximity. Or, if you’re visiting over a weekend, it’s worth visiting the Saturday Market in Chinatown which features food, arts and crafts.
Sprawling Washington Park is home to a number of attractions including Hoyt Arboretum, filled with flora from around the world and Pittock Mansion, a French-style chateau dating back to 1914. There are also some great museums to choose from as well as thriving art, music and theatre scene.
It’s just a short journey to finish your epic trip up the west coast of the USA. Arrive into Seattle and check in at the Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle Downtown (or similar) for your last 3 nights.
Seattle is a culturally diverse and dynamic city with a jaw-dropping natural backdrop. The most iconic of its landmarks is the Space Needle, built for the 1962 World’s Fair. You can catch the views from the top or, for those who suffer from vertigo, you can also take in the urban landscape from the Seattle Center Monorail, another relic of the same fair. There are a huge range of museums to choose from here as well as a fabulous aquarium, T-Mobile Park (home of the Seattle Mariners baseball team) and much more besides!
It’s time to leave Seattle today for your return flight to the London. Alternatively, there are lots of options to extend your holiday. Perhaps continue by train across the border into Canada. There are direct services to Vancouver or you could even pick up a cruise to Alaska!
This holiday can also be taken in reverse, starting in Seattle and finishing in LA. Please let us know how you would like to tailor-make your trip.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Los Angeles
Located in downtown Los Angeles, this landmark 1920s hotel is just a short walk from Pershing Square Subway Station and the Museum of Contemporary Arts. Bedrooms come with air-conditioning, a coffee maker and a safe. There’s also a grand lobby bar and an elegant Italian restaurant. Enjoy a swim in the hotel’s indoor pool or a work out in the well-equipped gym.
Santa Barbara
The Riviera Beach House boasts an ideal location close to the main station and the beachfront. All bedrooms feature en suite facilities with plush bathrobes, tea & coffee making facilities, a flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi. There’s also a bar and restaurant on site along with a fitness centre and a library.
San Francisco
Located on Union Square, this hotel provides easy access to the sights of San Francisco, with the Powell Street cable car (tram) line just a short walk away. Each classically-designed bedroom is equipped with a flat-screen cable TV, mini-refrigerator, and free coffee and tea. There’s also an outdoor swimming pool and sauna as well as a barbershop.
Portland
Situated in downtown Portland, the boutique Hotel Zags also functions as an art gallery, with over 500 pieces of local art on display. The hotel also features a restaurant, bar and a patio with a fire pit. The hotel bedrooms are contemporary in style with coffee-making facilities, a small fridge, and flat-screen HD cable TV.
Seattle
The Hampton Inn and Suites Seattle Downtown is ideally located only minutes from the Pacific Science Center, the Seattle Opera House and the Space Needle. The nearby monorail also offers easy access to the city’s other sights. Bedrooms feature the brand’s signature Cloud Nine beds along with coffee & tea making facilities, iPod docking station and flat-screen TVs.
